Our Beginning
History and Information about City of Light Spiritualist Church (COLSC) The City of Light Spiritualist Church was legally formed in Sept. 2005 by Rev. Patricia Price, Steven Bennett, Ginny Vigrass, Richard Shelley, Kurt & Kathy Doerflinger to form a Spiritualist Church to honor the Free Thinkers of the 1800s that came to the Cassadaga area to establish a platform of liberty and freedom. COLSC is inclusive, has a free platform is open to all beliefs and Natural Law. The church’s name was inspired by the 1903 name of the Lily Dale Assembly, when Abby Pettengill, board president of the Cassadaga Lakes Free Association, renamed it “The City of Light”. In the book Proud Beginnings there is a directive from the board stating “… it is intended that LIGHT shall be thrown on all subjects, The City of Light Assembly will be striving to make a paradise where the weary and sorrowing of earth may find comfort, health and happiness.” Today our church is proud to be an independent, pet friendly Spiritualist Church who honors Creator and all creation.
The History of Modern Spiritualism
Modern Spiritualism gives special attention to children, since the movement was started by Margaret Fox, (15yrs.old) and Catherine Fox, (12yrs. old.) at their home in Hydesville, NY on March 31, 1848. The Fox Sisters utilized their perceptions to communicate with Spirit though “rappings” that signaled answers to questions they asked. The spirit identified himself as the peddler who died in the house in 1843. The peddlers box and bones were later found in the basement of the house. People who heard this story wanted to know and experience communication with the deceased. Soon after the Fox family moved to Rochester, NY and formed “home circles” to demonstrate spirit communication. In Nov. 1849, the circles had become so popular the sisters were invited to Corinthian Hall in Rochester to demonstrate spirit communication. The Fox Sisters proved that mediumship, communication with other dimensions, was not just available to the elite, but was available to all of us.
Modern Spiritualism teaches Natural Law and that communication with the deceased is not extra-ordinary, but ordinary and natural to all who are willing to learn and recognize spirit communication. The movement soon spread across the continent and across the ocean where Spiritualist churches were formed. Spiritualism is a recognized religion and well established in the US, Canada, UK & other parts of the world. The Spiritualist school for children is called the Lyceum and it is named for the Greek word "lyceum" meaning “grove of trees”. In ancient Greece, students and teachers met out in nature, to learn from her wonder and beauty. Andrew Jackson Davis took this concept and the knowledge he learned through trance, to develop this system of teaching children. He channeled information from children on the other side of life and how they were learning in the “Summerland” or Heaven. Andrew Jackson Davis put his dream of a Lyceum within the Spiritualist movement to the Conference on the 25th of Jan. 1863 at Dodsworth Hall in the UK. He wrote a manual that would give guidelines to the Lyceum leaders enabling them to have a format on how to impart the knowledge. Andrew Jackson Davis had his own religion called Harmonialism, closely associated with Spiritualism in the 1800’s but never a member of a Spiritualist church. At COLSC we have encouraged and supported the Lyceum Program and participated in the Lily Dale's children's programs to continue educating our youth about Spiritualism.
Modern Spiritualism gives special attention to children, since the movement was started by Margaret Fox, (15yrs.old) and Catherine Fox, (12yrs. old.) at their home in Hydesville, NY on March 31, 1848. The Fox Sisters utilized their perceptions to communicate with Spirit though “rappings” that signaled answers to questions they asked. The spirit identified himself as the peddler who died in the house in 1843. The peddlers box and bones were later found in the basement of the house. People who heard this story wanted to know and experience communication with the deceased. Soon after the Fox family moved to Rochester, NY and formed “home circles” to demonstrate spirit communication. In Nov. 1849, the circles had become so popular the sisters were invited to Corinthian Hall in Rochester to demonstrate spirit communication. The Fox Sisters proved that mediumship, communication with other dimensions, was not just available to the elite, but was available to all of us.
Modern Spiritualism teaches Natural Law and that communication with the deceased is not extra-ordinary, but ordinary and natural to all who are willing to learn and recognize spirit communication. The movement soon spread across the continent and across the ocean where Spiritualist churches were formed. Spiritualism is a recognized religion and well established in the US, Canada, UK & other parts of the world. The Spiritualist school for children is called the Lyceum and it is named for the Greek word "lyceum" meaning “grove of trees”. In ancient Greece, students and teachers met out in nature, to learn from her wonder and beauty. Andrew Jackson Davis took this concept and the knowledge he learned through trance, to develop this system of teaching children. He channeled information from children on the other side of life and how they were learning in the “Summerland” or Heaven. Andrew Jackson Davis put his dream of a Lyceum within the Spiritualist movement to the Conference on the 25th of Jan. 1863 at Dodsworth Hall in the UK. He wrote a manual that would give guidelines to the Lyceum leaders enabling them to have a format on how to impart the knowledge. Andrew Jackson Davis had his own religion called Harmonialism, closely associated with Spiritualism in the 1800’s but never a member of a Spiritualist church. At COLSC we have encouraged and supported the Lyceum Program and participated in the Lily Dale's children's programs to continue educating our youth about Spiritualism.
City of Light Spiritualist Church Today
COLSC guides individuals toward their spiritual path as they consult their own Higher Guidance.
The Lily Dale Assembly Inc. recognizes the City of Light Spiritualist Church as one of the four Spiritualist Churches for the process to join the Lily Dale Assembly. (Being a member of a Spiritualist Church is the first requirement needed to begin process to buy a house in Lily Dale.) For more information contact the Lily Dale Assembly Inc. on requirements. COLSC allows our members to belong to other Spiritualist Churches, and welcomes members from other Spiritualist Churches to join us.
COLSC invites remarkable speakers from around the world to share insights from diverse traditions to help us grow spiritually aware of our connection to the world and all that is. As one of Lily Dale's four recognized churches, we are part of the rotation of churches conducting services at the auditorium during the Lily Dale Season. COLSC believes in natural law, free thinking & personal responsibility. We are a church that practices diversity, values and new thought to enrich our Spiritualist base. We offer sincere, spiritual growth for our guests & members. We practice the Sacred Principles of: Mediumship, Spiritual Healing and Loving Kindness for All Beings honoring Creator & All Creation.
Our in-person services are held the last Sunday of each month at 3:30 pm in the Lily Dale Fire Hall and are also live on ZOOM. Recordings of services are later posted the City of Light Spiritualist Church Face Book page . We also offer a Weekly Prayer, Inspiration & Healing Service on Face Book Live every Monday at 7:00pm.
Your Contributions to COLSC are tax deductible and appreciated. We are a 501C3 organization. COLSC provides spiritual guidance and support for our congregation & the Lily Dale Community. We are supportive of: The Lily Dale Assembly, Lakeshore Humane Society, Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, Cassadaga Food Pantry, Lily Dale Vol. Fire Co, Partners in Kind of Chautauqua, Tibetan Monks of Drepung Monastery, Greyhound Action League, & other Community Charities, Organizations and events.
The City of Light Spiritualist Church has developed and maintains the Pet Healing Area and Pet Healing Gazebo in Lily Dale next to the Healing Temple. It gives us much satisfaction to share in the betterment of Lily Dale and to promote the importance of pets in our lives. We believe a church is more than just a building; a church is a way of spiritually serving others in times of need. We include pets both online and in person to all our services, spiritual healings and prayer lists.
To be a COLSC Healer you will need to document completion of Spiritualist Church Healing Courses through a Spiritualist Church, served at the Lily Dale Healing Temple, or other Spiritualist Church. To be a COLSC Spiritualist Minister please contact: Rev. Joanne Copley-Nigro for more details.
We are honored to speak with you to assist you on your spiritual path whether for spiritual counseling, education or any other spiritual needs. We offer pet services including spiritual healings, blessings or special intentions.
With Love and Many Blessings,
Reverend Joanne Copley-Nigro
The Lily Dale Assembly Inc. recognizes the City of Light Spiritualist Church as one of the four Spiritualist Churches for the process to join the Lily Dale Assembly. (Being a member of a Spiritualist Church is the first requirement needed to begin process to buy a house in Lily Dale.) For more information contact the Lily Dale Assembly Inc. on requirements. COLSC allows our members to belong to other Spiritualist Churches, and welcomes members from other Spiritualist Churches to join us.
COLSC invites remarkable speakers from around the world to share insights from diverse traditions to help us grow spiritually aware of our connection to the world and all that is. As one of Lily Dale's four recognized churches, we are part of the rotation of churches conducting services at the auditorium during the Lily Dale Season. COLSC believes in natural law, free thinking & personal responsibility. We are a church that practices diversity, values and new thought to enrich our Spiritualist base. We offer sincere, spiritual growth for our guests & members. We practice the Sacred Principles of: Mediumship, Spiritual Healing and Loving Kindness for All Beings honoring Creator & All Creation.
Our in-person services are held the last Sunday of each month at 3:30 pm in the Lily Dale Fire Hall and are also live on ZOOM. Recordings of services are later posted the City of Light Spiritualist Church Face Book page . We also offer a Weekly Prayer, Inspiration & Healing Service on Face Book Live every Monday at 7:00pm.
Your Contributions to COLSC are tax deductible and appreciated. We are a 501C3 organization. COLSC provides spiritual guidance and support for our congregation & the Lily Dale Community. We are supportive of: The Lily Dale Assembly, Lakeshore Humane Society, Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, Cassadaga Food Pantry, Lily Dale Vol. Fire Co, Partners in Kind of Chautauqua, Tibetan Monks of Drepung Monastery, Greyhound Action League, & other Community Charities, Organizations and events.
The City of Light Spiritualist Church has developed and maintains the Pet Healing Area and Pet Healing Gazebo in Lily Dale next to the Healing Temple. It gives us much satisfaction to share in the betterment of Lily Dale and to promote the importance of pets in our lives. We believe a church is more than just a building; a church is a way of spiritually serving others in times of need. We include pets both online and in person to all our services, spiritual healings and prayer lists.
To be a COLSC Healer you will need to document completion of Spiritualist Church Healing Courses through a Spiritualist Church, served at the Lily Dale Healing Temple, or other Spiritualist Church. To be a COLSC Spiritualist Minister please contact: Rev. Joanne Copley-Nigro for more details.
We are honored to speak with you to assist you on your spiritual path whether for spiritual counseling, education or any other spiritual needs. We offer pet services including spiritual healings, blessings or special intentions.
With Love and Many Blessings,
Reverend Joanne Copley-Nigro